Happy New Year to you all. I can’t believe that Christmas has come and gone so quickly and here we are in 2017 already.

As we are now in the countdown to this year’s White Hat Ball I thought it might be a good idea to run through some of the arrangements for people who are coming for the first time.

The champagne drinks reception will start from 6.30pm in the Nine Kings Suite when you will have an opportunity to mix and mingle with the other guests, buy raffle tickets for the draw later on in the evening and buy this year’s lapel pin. It’s also a chance to examine some of the lots on display for the silent and live auctions.

The hotel does take cards but It’s always a good idea to have cash on you as well. Especially for things like raffle tickets. As the hotel reception is undergoing a major refurbishment at present, there isn’t a cash machine in the hotel, so stock up before you come or you’ll have to walk to the two or three minutes to Spring Street for ATMs.

On 27th of January, the 12th White Hat Ball will take place at The Lancaster Hotel and kick off a new year of fundraising for ChildLine and Barnardos. What began as a few people looking for a way to put something back, has grown into a munificent leviathan that has raised over a million pounds for good causes.

The White Hat Ball is now a major event in the annual calendar for the information security industry. Its two main purposes are to raise money for charity and to host an event where like-minded people can have a thoroughly good time.

Upon arrival, there is a champagne reception to break the ice before a fabulous gourmet meal with wine. We are usually honoured by the presence of Dame Esther Rantzen who helps remind everyone of the very important support that ChildLine provides every year for thousands of children who suffer abuse or neglect.

After dinner and a live auction, the 650 guests can trip the light fantastic, dancing to a live band until the early hours. The White Hat Ball is living proof that you can have a great night and do your bit for a good cause at the same time.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to join us at our next ball. Many people buy their own individual tickets to the ball, others come as guests of various security companies who buy corporate tables for the evening. Whilst this is an event inspired by and attended by members of the information security industry, as well as their partners and their friends, it is not part of a conference or seminar. This is first and foremost a social event but the fact that most attendees work within the same industry means that we know each other. Thus the White Hat ball has become a major annual reunion for so many of us and of course an important fundraiser for ChildLine.

You can reserve your place at the ball by contacting: sarah.jeffery@nspcc.org.uk or calling Sarah on; 020 3772 9423 . I sincerely hope that you will join us and discover for yourself what a great night the White Hat Ball has become.

White Hat Ball 2017 – tables and sponsorship are now available!

After an absolutely incredible White Hat Ball 2016, in which the information security industry came together for a record-breaking annual bash, and raised over £161,000 for the NSPCC’s ChildLine service, we are thrilled to launch the White Hat Ball 2017!

Taking place on Friday 27th January2017 at the gorgeous Lancaster London, we know that tables and sponsorship will go quickly as usual.

Look out for the White Hat Ball team at this year’s Infosecurity Europe event, 7th-9th June at Olympia, London. We’ll be promoting invites to our upcoming sponsor evening which takes place on 13th July, at Deloitte, from 6pm. RSVP to mary.dobson@nspcc.org.uk to reserve your place on the guestlist.

The WhiteHat committee are delighted to have David Colbourne representing them in the London Marathon this weekend. With a daunting 26.2 miles ahead of him we caught up with David to talk about his preparation and fundraising efforts ahead of the big day.

Picture: David with his daughter after completing a 3okm run wearing his NSPCC running vest-which he will wear on the day of the marathon!

“I began training very gradually from the beginning of this year, starting off with a 10 kilometre run on the 9th January which has now culminated in a 33 kilometere run which I completed on the 5th April.

Since starting my training I have run a total of 355 km (220 miles). At the same time I have been cycling covering 150 km (93 miles) so far this year and completing over 25 km (20miles) on the Cross-Trainer – every km counts in building up strength and preparing for the marathon this weekend.

In the last month alone I have tracked over 210 km in my final push to cross that finish line on Sunday 24th April.”

There’s still time to support David in his efforts and help him reach his fundraising target- visit David’s just giving page to donate and show your support – the WhiteHat Committee, David and ChildLine thank you in advance, every £1 means ChildLine can answer more calls.

All it leaves us to say is, good luck David, the WhiteHat Committee wish you the very best of luck – we know you’ll do fantastically well!

Picture: David after completing a 33km run in Royal Wootten Bassett

White Hat Ball 2016 -Friday 29th January at The Lancaster Hotel, London

With just three weeks to go before the White Hat Ball 2016 throws open its doors the excitement is building. There are still a few tables and sponsorship opportunities available, don’t miss out book today and we’ll see you there!

Book your table
Tables of ten cost £1,950. To purchase your table or for more information, please email specialevents@nspcc.org.ukSponsorship and prize donations
To find out how your company could benefit from positive brand reinforcement and networking opportunities with CEOs, Partners and Senior Executives from the Information Security and Risk sector, please email specialevents@nspcc.org.uk